Dannii Minogue quits X Factor

Dannii Minogue has quit the popular ITV talent show, X Factor, days before the
new series was due to launch.

Dannii MinoguePhoto: REX FEATURES

7:55AM BST 15 May 2011

The 39-year-old posted a link through Twitter to the website mydaily.co.uk - of which she is a contributing editor - confirming the news.

The Australian was quoted as saying: ''I am so disappointed that I can't be a part of The X Factor this year.

''I'm going to miss the show and the amazing team who work so incredibly hard on it.''

Kylie's sister began filming the fifth series of Australia's Got Talent at the start of the year and is scheduled to return in a couple of weeks to continue with the semi and grand finals.

She added: ''During discussions for me to return to The X Factor it became clear that unfortunately, this year, the X Factor audition dates in the UK clash with the live shows of Australia's Got Talent during June and July.

''For this reason I am unable to return. I want to wish the new judges every success for this year's show, and can't wait to see who the British public choose as their next big star. ''Thanks to everyone who has shown me so much love and support, and brought me so much joy during my four incredible years working on the show.''

Tulisa Contostavlos, from the band N-Dubz, has been in talks with X Factor bosses to fill one of the vacant seats on the panel, according to a source close to the show.

The move is not connected with Minogue's departure however, the source stressed.

He said: "Everyone on the show has met her, and they loved her. She's the real deal. She's not a reality TV creation, she's created herself."

The singer from north London also fits "the right age demographic", he added.